ell, once again I am asked to accept a most difficult assignment. Find both an elegant, upscale Sunday Brunch, as well as a delicious, family oriented Brunch, one on the more casual side. Scoop Gallagher turns no assignment as great tasting as this one down!

So off I go, first to St. Armand’s Circle to cover one of our areas best spots, Cafe L'Europe. For years, Cafe L'Europe and its wonderful General Manager Michael Garey have graced this circle location. They are actually celebrating 30 years on St. Armands Circle. Congratulations! Award-winning dining takes on a new twist as Cafe L'Europe offers its three course Sunday Brunch. For those who enjoy dressing up, relaxing and being waited on through and through, with no heavy lifting in buffet lines, no lining up, single-file (sort of) by the waffle maker, this one is for you.

Brunch is served with a choice of appetizer, entree, dessert and coffee, as well as a choice of Bloody Mary, Champagne or Mimosa. Appetizers include Lobster Bisque (yes, truly one of the best in Southwest Florida),

Scottish Smoked Salmon, Escargot and the Stilton Blue Salad. The entrees are focused mostly toward the dinner side, with choices such as Veal Piccata, Potato Crusted Grouper, Brandied Duckling (another House Specialty), Fresh Seafood Crepes, and Maine Lobster Salad (another perfect choice if you love the bisque).

There is a choice of Eggs Louis XIV: two poached eggs, two jumbo lump crab cakes on English muffins served with Hollandaise and wild mushroom demi glace...so rich and delicious. Make sure at least one person in your party partakes of this velvety, rich brunch classic with a Cafe L'Europe twist! By now, you are so relaxed in your seat, overlooking the circle, watching shoppers go by, as you sip your champagne, there is hardly room for dessert. But, can you turn away raspberry creme brulee, or chocolate velvet cake, or--true decadence to the end--cheesecake with fresh berries? There would be no cooking that evening, I can guarantee you! Enjoy L'Europe's Sunday Brunch served from noon to 3:30 pm at $24.95 per person. The new chairs are sure to please as well.

On the casual side, and VERY family friendly, try Bella Cucina Italian Buffet, just off Cattleman Road on Kenny Drive in Sarasota. Stations offer a large selection of pastas (including 4 cheese pasta and lasagna) and several different sauces.

There are salads and their Italian wedding soup is wonderful. There is also a plethora of brunch selections; French toast, vegetable frittata, homemade cinnamon rolls, eggs benedict and bacon, sausage and homefries abound! The #1 choice for Sunday Brunch buffet item has to be their original Baked Egg Pizza! The pizza, along with several other selections, started out as an employees' breakfast one morning while they were setting up. The staff raved so much, that the baked egg pizza is now a mainstay. They spread garlic butter on the pizza dough, parmesan and mozzarella cheeses are then sprinkled generously and “pockets” are made for the cracked eggs. Baked in the oven with some fresh crumbled bacon and voila!

With such a casual atmosphere and plenty of room for large parties, Bella Cucina makes this Sunday Brunch even more inviting by offering it at the incredibly low price of $7.95 for adults, $5.95 for guests 6 to 11 years old and $3.95 for children 3 to 6 years old. There is something for everyone and children will love all the “cheesy” pastas and pizza bar.

by Judi Gallagher Restaurant Consultant &Personal Chef

Sunday Brunch is lovely in a relaxed setting. You just want to enjoy the weekend (which might have been hectic) and friends, family or each other over a meal. One of the best we have found is at The Rosedale Golf&Country Club. The welcoming staff and terrifically presented room certainly adds to your enjoyment.

Large windows enable the sunlight to cast a wonderful light in the dining room as you enjoy your first cup of coffee, champagne or mimosa from the attentive servers.

As you make your way to the buffet, you cannot miss the decorative ice sculpture with a selection of 7 or 8 desserts dominating the dining room. Momma always said, “Stay away from these wonderful desserts on this table until after your meal!” Enjoy the omelette station with 5 or 6 toppings (egg whites are available if you wish). Other choices include Eggs Benedict, Blackened Salmon, Smoked Salmon, Blintzes (a definite favorite of the regulars), Waffles, French Toast, the best Scalloped Potatoes layered with sour cream, Herring and Sour Cream, a carving station with various meats (ham and prime rib for example), baked goods and so much more.

After enjoying these you may now help yourself to the dessert offering including a delicious English Trifle, Créme Brulée Cheesecake, Key Lime Pie or Bourbon Pecan Pie to name a few.

Sunday Brunch at Rosedale is a great value at $17.95 for adults and $8.95 for children ages 5 to 10. Ask about their golfer’s special for only $9.95 as well. Seating is 10 AM to 2 PM and reservations are highly suggested.

The new talk of the town on Sunday Brunch is Barnacle Bill’s Seafood on the North Tamiami Trail in Sarasota. Complimentary Champagne and mimosas are flowing throughout the meal, which can certainly liven up your late morning and early afternoon very nicely. The polished waitstaff will tend your needs with handling drink orders or whisking away your plates as needed.

On to the buffet! It is absolutely grand and has a few very unusual and delicious items that you must try. Appetizers include Oysters Rockefeller, Clams Casino, Crab Cakes, Nova Lox and House Cured Gravlax. The carving station features Roasted New York Strip Loin and Black Forest Smoked Ham.

Over a dozen salads will certainly please any diner. Omelette and breakfast items include a fabulous Crab Cake Benedict and any omelette the chef can create for you.

Don’t stop there. Loosen a notch or two on the belt and enjoy an amazing selection of hot dishes including Salmon Veronique, Stuffed Flounder, Coq au Vin, Stuffed Pork Loin, Veal Meat Loaf, Scalloped Potatoes, Black Beans and Rice, Seafood Chowder and so much more. Desserts, pastries and breads are there to enjoy as well at Barnacle Bill’s.

The above selections change weekly to keep their cuisine fresh and exciting, although many of the “regular” dishes are always there. The dining room is very well laid out with all the items attractively presented. As soon as an item is low, the Barnacle Bill’s staff replenishes it immediately. Nice.

The word is getting out about this newly opened brunch and the comments you can overhear from customers that are present are all very complimentary. And deservedly so!

Seatings is from 10:30 AM to 2PM and the price is $17.95 for adults and $10.95 for children under 10. Hats off to owner Bill Davies and his staff for presenting one of the best Sunday Brunch Buffets in our area.

Just down the road is the cheery Carr’s Corner Cafe. If there ever was a neighborhood restaurant for chummy get togethers, this is it. As you walk in your are cordially greeted and shown to your table. Don’t be surprised if someone knows you or if other tables are entrenched in conversation with each other. A few “heavy hitters” from around town are also known to frequent Carr’s Corner Cafe for breakfast or lunch.

Their Sunday Brunch is casual fare with just the right mixture of tasty brunch items. Choose from fresh eggs, omelettes (all with O’Carr’s potatoes on the side, yummy). Carr’s Benedict is a delicious smoked salmon and baby spinach combination served on an English muffin with Bearnaise sauce. Divine.

Choose from fresh Fruit Pancakes, French Toast stuffed with blueberry ricotta cheese, Quiche of the day, Smoked Salmon Wrap or Caesar Tuna Wrap. It all looks good coming from the kitchen and our Carr’s Benedict and Smoked Salmon Wrap were wonderful. A nice touch is the individual jam pots with fresh orange marmalade or seasonal jams available for your pleasure.

The price for Sunday Brunch or any breakfast or lunch is very reasonable, from $3.95 to $7.95. They serve Sunday Brunch from 9 to 2PM and also offer many vegetarian items for their regular breakfasts or lunch. Carr’s Corner Cafe is a return to the restaurant business for owner Sharon Carr and her Mom. Their family had the original restaurant years ago. We welcome them back and highly suggest you stop in for a terrific Sunday Brunch.

Another North Tamiami Trail Sunday Brunch can be enjoyed at Café of the Arts. The atmosphere and food here is very French with owner Alain Taulere handling the reins for 27 years now. He is ably assisted by his son Jean Luc, and, along with new Chef Jean Pierre Pellet, have brought a few new items to the regular lunch and dinner as well as the a la carte Sunday Brunch.

Serving from 10 to 3PM, diners can select from a variety of homemade soups including Lobster Bisque, Onion Soup au Gratin, or Chilled Cucumber Soup. Omelettes with a choice of ham, cheese or mushroom are a welcome sight at any brunch and the ones at Café of the Arts looked delectable.

The Smoked Salmon is traditionally garnished with cream cheese, red onions and capers. A Caesar Salad could be enjoyed on its own or with grilled chicken or shrimp. Other offerings include a Quiche du Jour, Creamed Seafood in French Loaf or De Luxe Salad Champs Elysee, which is with Boston Lettuce, fresh mushrooms, tomatoes, artichoke hearts, turkey and cheese. All are mixed in with Café of the Arts famous vinaigrette dressing. The prices for any of these items are reasonable, from $3.50 to $9.95.

An added plus is the traditional live jazz that wafts through the dining rooms, adding another mix to the meal. The main room is encircled by two garden rooms over looking the grounds. These are very comfortable and private if you so desire.

It is nice to see that after all these years Café of the Arts can still get it right. Enjoy a lovely Sunday Brunch (or lunch or dinner here) soon.

When you really want to spoil yourself for a Sunday Brunch make it to The Summerhouse on Siesta Key. The setting itself just beckons you to relax and enjoy the lovely surroundings. Totally enclosed in glass it truly gives you the feeling of dining outdoors in a luscious garden. In fact you can even sit in the outdoor garden for an added treat during these milder days. (A surprise birthday was in progress for 60 guests the Sunday we visited. It was wonderfully coordinated by Catering Director Nicole Van Sweringen and her staff.)

Champagne, Mimosas, Bloody Mary’s or other mixed libations are available to kick off your Sunday Brunch. Just place your order with the server as it is included with the price. The brunch is a well organized buffet with just about everything you can ever want. Again the staff is very much on top of things and very discreetly brings in and takes away food items as needed.

The choices are plenty­Sushi, Omelettes and Crepe Stations, Frittata Toast, Snow Crab Legs, King Crab Legs, Chicken Picatta, Blackened or Poached Grouper, Tortellini, Ham on the Bone, Prime Rib, Eggs Benedict, Shrimp Cocktail, Fresh Fruits, Cheeses and Salads. There is more to choose from including a wonderful dessert and pastry display by Pastry Chefs Philipe and Adrianne Silva of The Summerhouse that was visited frequently the Sunday we were there. Fabulous!

Keyboardist Wayne DeLair fills the room with pleasant sounds throughout the 10:30 to 2:00 time for the Sunday Brunch at The Summerhouse. The price is $29.95 and is well worth it for ambiance and food quality. Make it to The Summerhouse and enjoy all it has to offer.

Sunday Brunch lovers in Bradenton have a terrific restaurant to enjoy a fine dining New Orleans-style Jazz Brunch. Jonathan’s on Manatee Avenue delivers a truly authentic ‘Nwalins brunch that will have you coming back every Sunday. Owner Jonathan Shute hails from the Crescent City so he knows his stuff, so to speak. There aren’t many restaurants you can order a Sazerac, never mind enjoying one. This New Orleans version of a martini includes rye whiskey, bitters and a touch of Pernod. A true eye opener.

Diners can enjoy a cocktail or champagne during their meal, everything is a la carte. There is prix fix three course brunch for $22.95. This includes a choice of starters including Oysters Bienville,m Oyster Rockefeller, Crayfish Bisque, Gumbo, Eggplant Rollentine. The entrees are a variety of eggs including Eggs Sardou, Eggs Hussard, Eggs Benedict, Eggs Shannon (two poached eggs served atop trout filets on a bed of creamed spinach topped with hollandaise), Eggs Nouvelle New Orleans (two poached eggs served on a bed of jumbo lump crabmeat). All are a true work of art and taste as good as they look.

Desserts include tableside flambés of Bananas Foster, Crepes Fitzgerald, Strawberries Romanoff and White Chocolate Bread Pudding. What a feast!

Your toes will get a workout from tapping to the live jazz sound of Mike Moran’s Jazz Band. They are a talented quartet and are not too intrusive either. A great addition.

Guests can also order from the a la carte menu which includes a wonderful selection of the unusual and rich fare such as Panne Rabbit, Roast Duckling, Trout Pecan and Catfish and Shrimp Creole. These range from $18.95 to $24.95. A nice variety of salads include a delicious Crabmeat and Asparagus Salad or a Caesar Salad with Sliced Tenderloin and Roquefort Cheese. Prices for these are $12.95 to $14.50.

It is fine Sunday Brunch Dining at Jonathan’s, served from 10:30 to 2:00. Great New Orleans cuisine and live jazz­see you there!

With all the beautiful restaurants in our area, one that stands out as a favorite for its beautiful setting has to be Cafe on the Bay. Located on Harbourside Drive on Longboat Key, nestled on The Moorings Marina, Cafe on the Bay offers a beautiful marina view that matches their popular Sunday Brunch.

Served from 9:00 to 1:00 the brunch buffet is attractively presented in the lounge area of the restaurant. Here guests can order their own omelettes, select from Chicken or Spinach Crepes, Potato Pancakes, Smoked Salmon, Carpaccio of Tuna with Wasabi, Crab Legs, Fresh Fruit and other foods.

As with all of the brunches we went to, the wait staff was very attentive at Cafe on the Bay. They were helpful in clearing plates and refreshing the drinks for the dining room.

With the comfortable temperatures finally here, seating outside along the water is just ideal. The Sunday brunch is $16.95 and is a terrific way to enjoy one of our prettiest restaurants with food to match at Cafe on the Bay.

by Neal Finelli